Run-On Sentence - Examples and Definition

Definition of Run-On Sentence
A run-on sentence is a combination of two impartial clauses, joined together without a conjunction or punctuation mark. Both of those independent clauses shape a whole sense or thought; however, once they group together, they need right punctuation for clarity. For instance, inside the sentence, “It is now ten we can't pass there before early morning,” whole thoughts are joined collectively in a puzzling manner.

Generally, this is considered grammatically incorrect, and referred to as a stylistic error. There are many examples of run-on sentences used as literary devices in literature. However, not all lengthy sentences are run-on sentences, for it is quite acceptable to mix one of a kind related ideas right into a compound sentence. Nevertheless, without the usage of appropriate punctuation rules, a compound sentence turns into a run-on sentence.

Types of Run-On Sentence
Comma Splice Run-On Sentence
In this type, a comma splits two impartial clauses. However, the position of this comma is a bit vulnerable to make a entire relationship between two complete sentences. Thus, it requires a proper coordinating conjunction to make a relationship. For instance:

“People are mingling, each person appears so happy.”

This might be lots clearer if the conjunction “and” have been added, for:

“People are mingling, and all and sundry appears so happy.”

Fused Sentence
This happens whilst a creator connects two clauses and not using a punctuation, where the principle clause makes ideal feel on its own. Independent clauses should not be smashed together into a fused sentence. For instance:

“A sensible man makes his own choices an ignorant guy follows public opinion.”

Punctuation among these impartial clauses could make this sentence greater clear:

“A smart man makes his own selections. An ignorant guy follows public opinion.”

Examples of Run-On Sentence from Literature
Example #1: Rabbit, Run (By John Updike)
“But then they had been married (she felt lousy approximately pregnancy earlier than but Harry had been speaking about marriage for a while and besides laughed while she instructed him in early February approximately lacking her length and said Great she turned into extraordinarily frightened and he said Great and lifted her placed his palms around under her bottom … she changed into still little clumsy dark-complected Janice Springer and her husband changed into a conceited lunk who wasn’t proper for anything inside the world Daddy said and the sensation of being alone would melt a touch with a bit drink.”

This passage presents an example of fused run-on sentences, where the author has not used commas to separate the sentences. These sentences, however, can make a right thought.

Example #2: A Tale of Two Cities (By Charles Dickens)
“It turned into the great of times, it changed into the worst of times, it became the age of wisdom, it become the age of foolishness, it turned into the epoch of belief, it become the epoch of incredulity, it turned into the season of Light, it turned into the season of Darkness, it became the spring of hope, it turned into the winter of despair… —in short, the duration become to date like the gift duration, that some of its noisiest government insisted on its being received, for excellent or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

This excerpt is a superb instance of comma splices, in which we can virtually see using commas keeping apart the clauses. Yet, there's no need of conjunction to form a whole feel or thought.

Example #3: Ulysses (By James Joyce)
” … I hate human beings that have always their bad story to tell anybody has their own problems that poor Nancy Blake died a month in the past of acute pneumonia well I didn’t recognize her so properly as all that she changed into Floeys friend more than mine … “

This novel is very famous for using run-on sentences. Notice in this case Joyce has used a fused sentence with out a commas. Though understandable, the meaning is not clear.

Example #4: The Sound and the Fury (By William Faulkner)
“My God the cigar what might your mother say if she located a blister on her mantel just in time too look right here Quentin we’re about to do something we’ll both remorse I like you liked you as quickly as I noticed you I says he should be …”

This excerpt is an excellent example of fused run-on sentences, in which we discover neither commas nor use of conjunction that could separate the clauses and supply clarity.

Function of Run-On Sentence
Though it isn't always a accurate idea to apply run-on sentences in writing, poets and writers now and again use them for repeating some thing important, or for imitating the speaking style of characters. Despite that, use of run-on sentences is typically incorrect, as it makes the writing too difficult and problematic to understand. However, intentional use of run-on sentences creates special effects in colloquial speech and informal contexts.